:: ACHIEVEMENT HOUSE loves being part of the Kemureti / Cambridge community and we try to share news of what we’re doing.
Here, we aim to keep our friends, supporters and clients updated with our progress.
:: Our news
Our people: Courtney Duncan takes on the Pedal4Prostate challenge
Achievement House team member Courtney Duncan (right) has taken up the challenge of raising awareness of prostate cancer, and helping raise money to fight the disease.
Courtney and her friend Unity, who is blind, have formed a cycling team to take on the Pedal4Prostate Challenge, riding around Waikato’s Hampton Downs Racetrack for four hours.
With the help of pilots Sam and Vicki, Courtney and Unity will be on the track for two hours each, to raise funds and show their support for New Zealand men and their families living with prostate cancer.
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Our community: A chance for providers to share information
Achievement House took part in the inaugural Activating Abilities Day, an expo-style event for organisations committed to serving those with disability and mobility issues.
The event was held at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome, Kemureti / Cambridge, and attracted nearly 300 visitors during the day.
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Our people: Time for Matariki reflection … and hangi
The celebration of Matariki gave our team an opportunity to take time out for reflection, some chat … and a beautiful hangi meal.
The team shared lunch together at Achievement House on Thursday June 27, 2024, the day before Matariki celebrations and New Zealand’s public holiday.
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Our supporters: Lindsay Foundation helps us make a difference
‘For locals, by locals’ is a motto used by Achievement House for many years, and it’s exemplified by a recent generous donation from the Lindsay Foundation.
The foundation was established by the Lindsay family after the 2016 sale of the successful manufacturing company Sistema Plastics, a business that grew from humble beginnings in the early 1980s, working out of a garage in Cambridge.
The Lindsay Foundation’s mission is to support Kiwi individuals and organisations who aspire to make a positive difference in New Zealand.
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Our engagement: Feedback sought for review of laws
New Zealand laws relating to adult decision-making capacity are being reviewed by Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission.
The Law Commission says: “There has been increased recognition of the human rights of disabled people and a shift towards supporting people to make their own decisions.”
The main law under review is the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988. This act sets out decision-making arrangements which can apply when someone does not have decision-making capacity, such as enduring powers of attorney, welfare guardians and property managers.
The commission has published papers on its review and invites submissions by Friday June 21, 2024.
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Our community: The transformation of our street
It’s taken patience, cooperation and plenty of smiles … but four months of roadworks have almost been completed, transforming the Wilson St entrance to Achievement House.
As May 2024 starts, only a few road cones are left and traffic is back to flowing two-way on Wilson St.
The foot and cycle paths are well in use.
Achievement House general manager Neil Fynn says the roadworks project was an excellent example of a community working together.
“A big shout out to the CAMEX Civil crew and the other contractors working on the project,” he says.
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Our people: Our team has a night of 80s disco fun
When you’ve been working hard, it’s time to take time out to have fun … and to boogie.
To combat the winter chills, the team at Achievement House threw a party 1980s style.
Disco music, outrageous costumes, saveloys and lots of laughs.
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Our visitors: Roadworks to disrupt Wilson St access
Visitors to Achievement House need to be aware of continuing roadworks in Wilson St between January and May, 2024.
Camex Civil, on behalf of the Waipa District Council, are extending the shared walking and cycling path alone Wilson St, where we are located.
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Our work: Covid’s disabling sting
Achievement House is feeling the post-Covid pinch as a drop in the number of contracts impact on its ability to provide a steady level of employment for people with disabilities, the Waikato Business News reports.
It has always been something of a struggle, says manager Neil Fynn, but the post-pandemic disruptions has exacerbated the problem.
He said several contracts had ended in the past few years, and he wants to make 2024 all about bringing new ones on board. The reasons they fall away are not always made clear, he added. They lost a major contract in 2022 as a firm was bought out by an international player who closed it and moved offshore, while others were lost to post-pandemic changes made to the way companies operate.
Whatever the reason, the result for Achievement House, and for other facilities like it, is a shrinking and unpredictable workload with which to keep their staff fully occupied on a regular basis.
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Our global community: We support International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Achievement House joins with those around the world who will celebrate Sunday December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Launched in 1992 by the United Nations, the day aims to bring meaningful change for the disabled community.
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Our local community: We throw a party with the help of our community
It’s more than a Christmas party when your local community gets behind you.
Achievement House has shared the festive spirit at its 2023 party with the help of the Rotary Club of Cambridge and the various cafes and restaurants that donated food for the event.
And our team and guests got into the swing of things with music from Rotary’s Bruised Brothers band, who have become regular entertainers at our annual festivities.
Achievement House thanks our community supporters for making our party possible — we feel spoiled to have such a selection and abundance of food from some of the country’s finest hospitality providers.
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Our people: We enjoy a night at the beach and some karaoke
Sometimes you just have to let your hair down and let your imagination do the rest!
With memories of a wet winter fading, the team at Achievement House and their friends at Aspire Community Support decided it was time to throw a beach party, with some karaoke and a chance to hit the dance floor.
It all came together at Achievement House in November 2023 with the premises transformed into a beach.
The night brought some people out of their shells … and gave the opportunity to others who have been out their shells forever!
We’ll let the pictures do the talking …
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Our people: A day of celebration as supervisor Shelby graduates
The team at Achievement House have celebrated the graduation of day programme supervisor Shelby Mcclelland whose hard work and study have gained her a qualification in health and wellbeing.
Shelby’s circle of support gathered with her at Achievement House for a morning tea in October 2023, when she was presented with her framed NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing, Social and Community Services, Community Facilitation.
Achievement House manager Neil Fynn congratulated Shelby, saying:
“Well done, Shelby. Though you may have finished the training, we know this is really just the start!”
Photo (above): Our supervisors (from left) Shiree, Shelby, Glen, Bud and Joe.
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Our people: Theresa’s happy place
As Cambridge Riding for the Disabled prepares to mark its 40th anniversary, its longest-standing rider, Theresa Rippey has made her intentions clear.
“I’ll never give up horse riding, I love it,” she told the Cambridge News.
Theresa, who works at Achievement House, started riding as a seven-year-old and there’s been no stopping her since.
“Theresa’s become friends with so many amazing people in our time here,” her mum Margaret said. “This is her happy place and I’m really grateful to everyone who’s played a part in her riding story.”
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Our people: ‘Bruised Brothers’ get the toes tapping
A party put on once again by Cambridge Rotary saw those who are employed or volunteer through Achievement House – as well as staff – welcome the festive season with food platters, a visit from Santa and toe-tapping music by Rotary’s ‘Bruised Brothers’ band.
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He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata! He tāngata! He tāngata!
What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people! It is the people! It is the people!
